Ruhr-Universitat Bochum - GERMANY
Part of the MAUI-Utrecht Network Exchange Program
The Partnership
This program is part of the MAUI-Utrecht Network Exchange and is open to students from member institutions only. Interested students should contact their local study abroad coordinator regarding the application/placement process and for additional information. Application deadlines for all MAUI-Utrecht Network programs, including fall semester, spring semester, or academic year abroad, is in late February/early March. Spring semester placements may be available after the deadline: contact your Study Abroad Coordinator.
The University-Ruhr-Universität Bochum (http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/index_en.htm)
Founded in 1962, Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) was the first among those institutions of higher education built after World War II. With its 20 faculties, its 5,000 employees, and over 34,000 students from 130 countries it belongs to the ten biggest universities in Germany. RUB knows how to excel – by means of outstanding research projects in many disciplines and due to a modern concept of degree programs. Furthermore, the university is one of the last eight candidates for the title “top university” in the German Excellence Initiative 2011.
Academics
Ruhr-Universität Bochum is on its way to becoming one of the leading European universities of the 21st century. Almost all courses are offered on undergraduate as well as postgraduate level in more than 150 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Besides German, English is the second language on campus. RUB’s faculties offer various courses in English. In some international master’s degree programs even all courses are held in English. From the first semester on, curricula at RUB focus on “research-based learning”. Our excellence programs are recognized internationally: e.g. the Research School is a state-of-the-art international college for structured doctoral research in the life sciences, natural sciences, engineering, the humanities, and social sciences. Interdisciplinary research departments, which are mutually and internationally networked, emphasize RUB’s profile. Additionally the Research School is known for assisting young scientists and offering an excellent infrastructure.
The City
Bochum has a population of almost 400,000 inhabitants and is situated in the heart of the Ruhr Area, the economic nerve center of western Germany. It is a very vivid city with a lot of cultural and sports activities, complemented by the large student population. In the city center students find many bars in the famous Bermuda Triangle as well as shops and clubs.
Being an industrial town historically, Bochum also has a lot of parks and green spots. The University is located in the very south close to a little valley, not far from a lake: ‘Kemnader See.’ The cultural scene in Bochum is quite unique. Bochum has one of Germany’s best known theaters and there are various museums around.
The Undiscovered Metropolis
Bochum is situated in one of the most densely populated areas of Europe. 5 million people live in the region, known as the Ruhr Area, named after a river that connects the cities. In less than half an hour you may reach Bochum’s neighboring cities Dortmund and Essen that are worth a visit as well. Some of Germany’s biggest cities, such as Düsseldorf and Cologne are about a one-hour-trip by train away. Together with the rest of the Ruhr Area, Bochum was the host of the European Capital of Culture in 2010.
Bochum is a truly European city. Being located in the boarder triangle of Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, cities like Brussels or Amsterdam are only about 200 kilometers (125 miles) away. To Paris and Berlin it is only about 450 kilometers (280 miles).
Language Requirements
The official course language at Ruhr-Universität Bochum is German. However, more and more international degree programs are held in English, so that English will become the second language on campus in the next years. Still, exchange students should know intermediate German to be able to follow lectures and seminars, unless they decide to enroll in the English department or those international degree programs already mentioned above.
Getting Along
Before the winter semester starts, RUB offers 3-week intensive language courses exclusively for exchange students. Students have class 4 hours 5 days per week and will thus be perfectly prepared for the start of the semester. Courses begin in mid-September and end the Friday before the semester starts. Up to 100 students can participate in these language courses. Additionally, the International Office organizes various excursions and intercultural workshops during this Orientation Course. Each exchange student will be assigned to a German student, a Study Buddy, who will serve as his/her mentor throughout his/her stay in Bochum.
If exchange students wish to further improve their German, they can also attend one of the various German language courses offered during the semester. These courses are offered one to two times per week and are free of charge.
Housing
For the duration of their stay in Bochum, exchange students can rent a room in a residence hall directly with us at the International Office. Students will live in a single-room very close to campus. At the cheapest end of the scale they will share bathroom and kitchen facilities with other students on the same floor; at the top end of the scale they can have their own apartment with their own bathroom and kitchen. In some of the residence halls students share their apartment with up to four fellow students. Rooms cost approximately € 270 per month.
Safety
Germany in general is a very safe country. Ruhr-Universität Bochum is located in an upper-middle-class-area of Bochum. Students can easily walk around by day and night without facing any dangers. The metro directly connects the city center with the university campus. Within ten minutes students may reach Bochum’s central station and downtown area. At night special buses (‘Nachtexpress’) connect the center with the university.
What exchange students say about RUB
“Ruhr-Uni-Bochum is a really multi-cultural university and friendly to international students.”
“It’s a friendly city for foreigners, the university facilities are good, and the study options are great.”
“The learning environment at RUB is serene. The university is internationally recognized which perhaps can enhance a student’s job prospects after completion. The opportunities, experience offered to students is noteworthy.”
Details & Information:
| Full name of university |
(University of Bochum, Germany) |
| Number of MAUI students you can accept during 2011/2012 (indicate total number of semesters) |
6 (12 semesters) |
| Areas
of study open for MAUI students (list explicitly) |
All areas of study open to MAUI students (exceptions see below, possible upon request). |
| Areas of study restricted to prior bilateral agreements between the exchanging departments or faculties | None |
| Areas of study not available to MAUI students | Only on special request, depending on each case: MA Human Rights MA Humanitarian Assistance MA Development Management MA European Culture and Economy |
| Utrecht
Network contact person (name, full address, phone/fax/email) |
Uta Baier |
Ruthild Schulte |
|
| General web site of the university | http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/index_en.htm |
| Web site of the international office/information web site for incoming students | http://international.rub.de/index.html.en http://international.rub.de/gaststudis/index.html.en |
| Academic calendar | Winter semester 10/01/2012 – 03/31/2013 |
| Examination period(s) | Depending on the departments, no general examination period |
| Orientation
session(s) for incoming students (indicate date and costs) |
Orientation course (language and cultural program) for international exchange students, course fee € 360.- |
| ECTS
available (list fields if not all) |
ECTS available for all study programs in humanities, social, engineering and natural sciences, partly in law and medicine |
| Application deadline(s) for admission | January 15 for the summer semester / July 15 for the winter semester |
| Application material on the web site or being mailed | Please follow this link http://international.rub.de/gaststudis/index.html.en |
| Course registration deadline(s) | No central registration deadlines, depending on the department |
| Language requirements | Intermediate knowledge of German is required; basic knowledge necessary for all degree programs except degree programs in English: |
| Language
test certificate requirements (if so, which and when : before admission, upon arrival) |
None |
| Preparatory
language course for incoming students (indicate dates and costs) |
http://international.rub.de/gaststudis/okurs.html.en |
| Courses taught in English | MSc Computational Engineering |
| Internships available | Individual arrangements are possible |
| Student employment | Exchange students are usually permitted to work 90 days per year (without a work permit). They may find student jobs at the university. They can also consult the local job center. |
| Housing
assistance (indicate how to apply) |
Please contact: Request Form: (http://international.rub.de/mam/content/intoff/ accommodation_request_form_for_exchange_students_at_ruhr- universit__t_bochum_wise2011_12.pdf) |
| Housing options | Student housing near the campus (single rooms and apartments) |
| Housing application deadline(s) | Apply as early as possible but at least 3 months before arrival to Bochum |
| Cost
estimates per month (in EURO) Housing Meals Books Local Transportation Health Insurance |
Housing: € 150 - 270 per month |
| Additional
fees to pay (indicate amounts and subjects) |
Social contribution fee for all students: About € 240 for one semester including public transportation in the whole state of North Rhine Westphalia |
| Comparable health insurance coverage from abroad allowed/not allowed | Depending on the coverage |
| Health facilities at the university | Nearby at Uni-Center |
| Other relevant information | Cultural program and trips offered by the International Office, please see further information at http://international.rub.de/rubiss/angebote/programm.html.en |
| Summer courses available? If so, please list | - |
| Last update of this information | December 2011 |
How to Apply/Application Process: Please check with your home university advisor for deadlines & application procedures for this program. If you are a UMSL student who would like to apply, please visit the Study Abroad Application Deadlines & Procedures page.